The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group (“KHAAG”) is pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded $1.78 million dollars in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) relief funds from the federal government. With this influx of money and other cost saving measures taken by the KDPH we will transition all of the remaining 251 people off of the wait list. It is projected that we will be able to absorb the projected 20 new cases every month for the rest of the fiscal year.

Special Statement from Bobby Edelen, Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group President:

The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group (“KHAAG”) is pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded $1.78 million dollars in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) relief funds from the federal government. With this influx of money and other cost saving measures taken by the KDPH we will transition all of the remaining 251 people off of the wait list. It is projected that we will be able to absorb the projected 20 new cases every month for the rest of the fiscal year.

We applaud those who have worked so diligently to get the funds to eradicate the wait list in Kentucky. We would especially like to thank The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Branch Director Sigga Jagne for her hard work, in Washington DC and elsewhere, for educating and pleading the case of everyone in all 13 States on the wait list.

This is good news and we are grateful for the opportunity that is afforded the individual on the wait list to receive the life saving medication, but when we continue to look at the short term accomplishments and have no real plan to take care of the needs of the citizens that will need these services in the future, have we really anything to celebrate.

What is needed is a sustainable way to deliver medications to those individuals who will need them after the funds have run out and the wait list is once again a reality. It will take new ideas and new ways of thinking about how we deliver services, or maybe just a forward looking initiative to fund ADAP in a different way. We by no means have the answers but we are open to discuss alternative methods of funding and service delivery with anyone that wants to sit down and have a fruitful discussion.

√ We invite you to also sign an action alert for the Commonwealth to allocate additional funds to the Kentucky AIDS Drug Drug Assistance Program (KADAP)  This action alert is sponsored by Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group.

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On February 17, 2010, I testified about the sad state of KADAP, (Kentucky Drug Assistance Program), highlighting the waiting list and other factors that caused health disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The representatives on the committee were attentive and polite. I think they were surprised that the Commonwealth was not contributing to KADAP.

There was other advocates there and the altogether the picture of how funding KADAP and other vital services was painted very well. Terri Jones and board member Monica Brown with Unicorn the Medwine Bell Foundation, an organization committed to testing and linking people to care, based in Louisville, KY. They spoke about how vital KADAP is in their efforts to getting those individuals into care..

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM KENTUCKY HIV/AIDS ADVOCACY ACTION GROUP (KHAAG) PRESIDENT BOBBY EDELEN:

It doesn’t matter how many times I go to Frankfort to testify or even to Washington I am struck with awe.

On February 17, 2010, I testified about the sad state of KADAP, (Kentucky Drug Assistance Program), highlighting the waiting list and other factors that caused health disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The representatives on the committee were attentive and polite. I think they were surprised that the Commonwealth was not contributing to KADAP.

There was other advocates there and the altogether the picture of how funding KADAP and other vital services was painted very well. Terri Jones and board member Monica Brown with Unicorn the Medwine Bell Foundation, an organization committed to testing and linking people to care, based in Louisville, KY. They spoke about how vital KADAP is in their efforts to getting those individuals into care..

Michelle Figueroa, a registered nurse gave testimony about her personal experience of working with the U of L Pharmacist and how she had an appreciation for how the medication work. Michelle end with an eloquent emotional plea for re-funding KADAP.

Representative Burch, a Champion for the cause of health equity ask some very astute questions. In those questions he demonstrated his support for re-funding KADAP and willingness to work on some measures to eradicate the waiting list.

Representative Watkins had a side-bar about HB-350 that he sponsored and supported wholeheartedly. After the hearing adjourned I approached him to inform him that KHAAG had sent out our position paper, which he knew about, and we called for it to be defeated. We had a short and cordial discussion about the issue and I think we agreed to disagree on this issue.

We must bring pressure to bear on the Budget Committee to let them know that we are concerned about KADAP and other funding issues we think is essential for better health care outcomes for people in Kentucky infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

SPECIAL UPDATE FROM OUR ALLY: KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION PRESIDENT JORDAN PALMER:

On Tuesday, the day before KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen testified, a volunteer and I met with lawmakers in Frankfort about restoring the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).  Restoring the program received support from senior lawmakers; Kentucky Equality Federation remains optimistic about the program being restored before the end of the legislative session.  Without KADAP, the lives of over 5,000 Kentuckians who cannot afford medications remain at risk!

KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen and I will meet with senior lawmakers in Frankfort again on Wednesday.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM GARY FOWLER – KHPAC/SPECIAL ADVISER:

Big KUDOS to those who participated and helped make this year, a year of change — Yes We Can (Obama). If you see or hear from any of these folks, or if I am missing someone,

Here are the players to thank:

Bobby Edelen — KHAAG President
Gary Fowler — KHPAC/Special Adviser and Mentor
Sigga Jagne — HIV/AIDS Branch Manager
Jordan Palmer — Kentucky Equality Federation President

The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.

» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).

» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)

Oppose House Bill 350 – We want physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. with training and education!

HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky is decimated; the Commonwealth allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. Now, lawmakers in Frankfort want to remove HIV/AIDS training requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Since treatment options change rapidly, it is imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS.

» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).

» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)

The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.

House Bill 350 is ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.

Take action right now by click here!